An employee at British embassy in Berlin was arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia.
The British diplomat was suspected of passing on documents for Russian intelligence in exchange for cash.
The suspected diplomat, identified only as David S, was arrested at his Potsdam apartment at 2.20pm on Tuesday,
His home and embassy workplace were searched on the same day.
“Spying Unacceptable on German Soil”
“The accused received a cash payment in an unspecified amount in return,” German prosecutors said.
“The suspect was believed to have been spying since November 2020 “at the latest”.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it was taking the case seriously, adding that spying on
allied states on German soil is unacceptable.
A spokesman for the ministry said that it would closely monitor the German public
prosecutors’ investigations.
British Comment on the Incident
A spokesperson for the British Home Office confirmed that an individual who was
contracted to work for the government was arrested yesterday by the German authorities.
But, the source refused to comment further as there is an ongoing police investigation.”
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow home secretary, said the allegations potentially
amounted to a “serious breach of UK national security”.
“All measures must now be taken to establish exactly what information has been passed to
Russian intelligence and the impact this has on the UK, as well as that of our allies,” he said.
“This is yet another example of the real threat posed by Russia, so it is unacceptable that
Conservative ministers have been so slow to enact the measures necessary to protect the
UK, including implementing the recommendations of the Russia report.”
The suspect will be brought today before an investigating judge.
In May, the UK set out plans to crack down on hostile activity by foreign states, introducing
a proposed law to give security services and law enforcement new powers to tackle growing
threats.